Chanel unveils N°1 de Chanel line featuring Sulapac’s bio-based packaging

04 Feb 2022 --- Chanel has unveiled an eco-friendly beauty line – N°1 de Chanel – that features Sulapac’s bio-based packaging material. The complete range of products includes applications for skincare, makeup and fragrance mists.

The entire packaging for the N°1 de Chanel line is renewable, with bio-based materials used in the lids. The packaging follows a partnership between Chanel’s Fragrance and Beauty Packaging Innovation Department and Sulapac.

“Our partnership with Chanel is part of a long-term, collaborative approach that puts [environmental] sustainability at the center of Chanel research and development,” Suvi Haimi, co-founder and CEO of Sulapac tells PersonalCareInsights.

“The cosmetic segment is a natural fit for us. Sulapac materials’ appearance, ceramic sound and haptic feel make them stand out, important to premium cosmetics. Brands value our scientifically validated, sustainable solutions that the conscious consumers demand.”

Renewable and FSC-certified ingredients
According to Chanel, its ingredients are renewable and have reduced environmental impact. The N°1 de Chanel range comprises up to 97% ingredients of natural origin without compromising effectiveness, safety or sensory quality.

The company adds that the lid of the N°1 de Chanel Cream is made of 90% bio‑based materials from renewable resources. The resources are from FSC-certified wood chips that are by-products of industrial side-streams combined with camellia seed shells.

The FSC-certified wood chips originate from the Nordic forest and follow Sulapac’s policy for Sustainable Sourcing. “For example, our wood chips are by-products of industrial side-streams,” Haimi confirms.Dr. Suvi Haimi, CEO and co-founder of Sulapac (Credit: Sulapac).

Chanel explains that the packaging of the N°1 de Chanel Cream went through testing to examine the “sensory quality of the material, its resistance to heat variations, the sound of the jar closing, how it feels in hand and the depth of the matte satin finish engraved with the iconic double C.”

Commenting on the packaging, Haimi adds: “All our materials have been certified by the USDA’s BioPreferred Program that also validates the percentage of the bio-based content.”

“Each recipe is a combination of responsibly sourced ingredients. We combine various waste streams and plant-based biopolymers in a way that maximizes bio-based content and meets the high-quality standards set by global brands.”

Creating bio-based materials
According to Sulapac, creating the bio-based material took 40 attempts.

“Our first big task was to innovate a bio-based material that contains by-product camellia seed shells while making it resistant to heat and moisture,” explains Piia Peltola, R&D manager at Sulapac.

“Camellia is an inherently hydrophilic material, meaning it absorbs water strongly. Solving this was a great accomplishment for us, and the first time we have incorporated such an ingredient in our packaging material in a bespoke way.”

Commenting on the demand for more eco-friendly solutions, Haimi says: “Now, more cosmetics companies are adapting to eco-friendly packaging materials. Also, there is a growing demand in the foodservice market. Hence, currently, our focus application areas are cosmetics, supplements and food sector items like straws and reusable cutlery.”

This year, new material innovation and customer collaboration announcements are expected, she notes. 

Sulapac’s environmental endeavors
This partnership follows Chanel choosing Sulapac’s bio-based caps for its fragrance bottles.

Sulapac has also partnered with UK-based skincare wellness brand Forest Spa Finland to provide material for its Nordic Adaptogen Supplements’ product packaging.

The packaging company also teamed up with Quadpack and Manik Skincare to create biodegradable packaging.

By Nicole Kerr